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And let him think it’s okay to disobey my orders?
Set some ground rules. This is our sanctuary. Here he is just a male and you are just a female. Outside, he is our soldier to command. Set that in stone with him.
You just want to ogle his body and persuade me to sleep with him.
Yes and no. For tonight, just eat. Good food will help you unwind.
She hesitated. Apart from her family, Teagan rarely invited people inside her cottage. If too many of her clan members treated her as a friend rather than a leader, order would soon slip and fall apart.
It was one of the things her gran had drilled into her before Teagan had put her name into the last leadership challenge. Leaders had to make tough decisions and people needed to be willing to follow a command with few, if any, questions during emergency situations.
Aaron opened a cupboard and took out two plates. The action snapped her out of her head. “If you know where the dishes are kept, then you snooped around, too, it seems.”
He flashed a grin, and Teagan’s heart skipped a beat at how his eyes crinkled at the corners. “Of course. Although I left your bedroom alone. For now.”
She sighed. “Look, I appreciate the food and will eat it. However, only on one condition. Outside of this kitchen and dining area, you are one of my soldiers. There will be no ordering me around, no taking advantage of me, and sure as hell no disobeying my orders whenever you feel like it.”
“You forgot about our practice sessions. I can’t give you a true challenge if you punish me for bending the rules.”
She raised an eyebrow. “There’s only one more challenge. I never said anything about regular practices.”
He placed the plates on the counter, turned around, and leaned against it. “You need to be in fine form. Given what I’ve heard today of how much time you spend in your office, you need the exercise.”
“Did you just imply that I’m out of shape?”
He waved a hand in dismissal. “Stop with the niceties. I once broke my leg and spent weeks sitting mostly on my bum. It took a lot of work to get back to full fighting force. I think you need to do that yourself, if you’ll let me help.”
“Did you actually just ask my permission?” she drawled. “Maybe I should note the date and time for posterity.”
“Be serious for a minute, woman, and think about it. I’m not a member of your clan and so me discovering any weaknesses won’t jeopardize your standing. I’ve also gone through recovery myself and know what needs to be done, even if you’re in much better shape than I was back then. Give me free rein to push you to your limits, and you’ll be badder and stronger than ever.”
Teagan studied Aaron’s face. His pupils flashed once, but that was the only sign of emotion. “First tell me why you’re offering to do this. It wasn’t why you were sent to Glenlough. And you were making a big show about being assigned guard duty early. Helping someone exercise isn’t exactly a normal Protector duty.”
He smiled. “Let’s just say I made a promise to an old woman and I intend to keep it.”
Her gran and her blasted meddling. Teagan would talk with her later.
For the moment, Teagan merely studied Aaron. She could deny his words, but then she’d be lying. An extra training session or two a week wouldn’t hurt. She had already planned to increase her exercise regimes, but having someone to remind her to do it and really push her to her limits would help greatly. After all, Teagan had never served in the army like Aaron, and no doubt he had a few tricks to teach her.
Placing one hand on her hip, she pointed at him with her free hand. “Before I agree to anything, I need to extract some promises and state conditions. Will you keep them or do I need to draw up a contract for you to sign in case I need to prove you’re out of line later?”
He rolled his eyes. “You’ve clearly been dealing with the DDA too long if paperwork is your answer.”
She closed the distance between them and poked his chest. “Unless you really want to push a hungry, cranky dragonwoman, then you’d better hurry up and answer.”
The corner of his mouth ticked up. “I’m tempted to try just to see what happens.”
“Aaron,” she growled.
He chuckled. “Fine. I know one of your conditions is following your orders everywhere but the kitchen, dining room, and during our practice sessions. So my defiance is actually keeping to that condition since we’re in the kitchen. You should be proud of me.”
Teagan resisted rubbing the bridge of her nose with her fingers. “Remember that bit about me being hungry and cranky? I’m about ready to unleash my dragon on you.”
Her beast huffed. Don’t bring me into this. I’m having fun watching.
Aaron tilted his head. “I’ll deal with her soon enough. But I won’t question your orders elsewhere, unless they truly merit it, and then I’ll do so in private. What else am I supposed to agree to?”
“No more breaking into my house. If I don’t let you in or give you a key to enter, then you stay out.”
